The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 94: Attention

We navigated through the crowd, and as we passed Samantha, I felt the intensity of her gaze burning into my back.

Turning my attention back to Nicholas, who had excused himself from the council members and was now heading in my direction. The concern etched in his brow deepened, and I braced myself for his questions.

As Layla and I approached Nicholas, a group of older council members blocked our path. Their grins were more unsettling than reassuring.

"Ah, Florence! You look positively radiant tonight," one of them exclaimed, his voice dripping with exaggerated charm that set my teeth on edge.

I mustered a polite smile, masking my discomfort. "Thank you, it's kind of you to say so."

Layla, standing protectively by my side, shot them a warning glance. "Gentlemen, let's not keep the lady from her destination. She has a host to meet."

However, they persisted, showering compliments and attempting to engage us in trivial conversation. Each word felt like a chore to endure.

"So, Florence, have you been enjoying your time here so far?" one of them asked, a sly grin on his face.

"Yes, the pack has been very welcoming."

The man's grin widened, his gaze lingering on my chest a little too long. "Indeed, you seem to have settled in quite well. Though," he chuckled, his voice dripping with insinuation, "one can't help but wonder if such finery translates well to pack life."

My smile remained strained, plastered on like a mask. "I find it suits the occasion,"

Layla's jaw tightened. Before she could interject, another council member chimed in, his voice raspy and age-worn. "Finery indeed…."

Just when we thought it couldn't get any more uncomfortable, one of the council members took it a step too far. He reached out and grabbed my arm, a possessive gesture that sent shockwaves through me. Layla, quick on her feet, exchanged positions with me, pushing me to the side, and she stepped in front, blocking the man's access.

"What do you think you're doing?" Layla snapped.

I stumbled back, surprised and irritated by coloring my expression. Layla's act of defiance escalated the situation as the man frowned, attempting to grab my arm once more.

Layla swiftly pulled me away from his grasp. "Who do you think you are to lay a finger on her?"

The council member put his hand to his waist, and seethed, “I think I should be asking you that. Who do you think you are to disrespect us huh?”

The tension in the air escalated, and the party around us stopped. The unwanted attention was quickly gathering on us.

“I think we should probably leave,” I said firmly, grabbing Layla’s wrist.

A hand snaked around my waist, a repugnant scent filling my nostrils. Fury simmered, but before I could react, Nicholas's voice ripped through the tension.

"Get your hands off her," it growled, ice-cold and laced with possessiveness.

He yanked me back, his grip firm but gentle. Layla's head dipped in a silent bow, fear flickering in her eyes. Nicholas turned to the offending group, his eyes flashing black with a feral warning.

"Touch her again, and I'll show you exactly what happens when you defy your Alpha King."

Fear choked the men into silence. One stammered, "I-I just got carried away…"

Another pointed at me. "And your mistress was clearly seeking attention!"

Nicholas's hand shot out, lightning fast, clamping onto the man's throat. Gasps echoed through the room as the man choked, his face draining of color.

"Lies," Nicholas hissed, voice low and dangerous. "You approached her."

The man sputtered, clawing at Nicholas's hand. With a flick of his wrist, Nicholas sent him sprawling to the floor.

"Clifford" he coldly said, his voice cutting through the shocked silence. “I think they should be reminded of my rules here in my pack”

Clifford, who was in a fine suit as well, materialized at his side, bowing, "Understood, Alpha."

Five burly pack members materialized, dragging the offending group out despite their panicked pleas.

“Alpha, please! This is not right!”

“We're sorry, Alpha Nicholas! Don't do this please!”

When the door shut, Nicholas smoothened his suit as he addressed the stunned crowd.

"Apologies for the interruption," he said, his voice deceptively mild. "Please, enjoy the rest of the evening."

Hesitantly, the chatter resumed. Soon after, music and laughter filled the hall, though a nervous air remained. In the middle of it all, Nicholas surprised me by pulling me into a tight embrace. My heart hammered against my ribs, the weight of his protectiveness both thrilling and shocking.

"I need to calm myself down before I do something I might regret," he murmured, his warm breath tickling my ear.

Shivers danced down my spine as Nicholas's possessive and fiercely protective side emerged. After a few minutes, he let go of me, but his hand lingered on my waist.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his gaze searching for mine.

I met his eyes, my voice barely a whisper. "Yes."

He sighed and turned to Layla, "Why is she even here?"

"I insist," I quickly replied. Aware that Lycans and werewolves have sharp hearing, I held his other hand, squeezing it. "I’ll explain later."

He seemed to protest for a second but nodded anyway. He pulled me close. "Okay, then let's enjoy the rest of the night."

With a playful glint in his eyes, Nicholas guided me towards a corner where a group of men and a middle-aged woman approached us.

One of the men extended a hand towards Nicholas, offering a firm handshake. "Alpha Nicholas, that was quite a meeting earlier. I really like the plans we came up with."

Nicholas nodded graciously, a humble smile on his face. "Thank you."

The middle-aged woman stepped forward, her eyes zeroing in on me. Her stylish gown and flawless attire from head to toe suggested an interest in fashion.

"It was lovely seeing you here. The talk of the pack tonight. You're more stunning up close."

I chuckled, confidently saying, "Well, I aim to make an impression."

The woman nodded with a grin, “That’s why I knew I liked you from the moment you spoke earlier.”

……

The men continued to shower us with praise, and I shared a glance with Nicholas. The group engaged in conversation with us for a while. With Nicholas by my side, I couldn't help but feel more than just his mistress tonight, especially since Samantha was nowhere in sight.

The lively chatter in the hall gradually hushed to a gentle murmur as the host, a member of the Moonstone Pack, took center stage. His voice boomed through the speakers, capturing the attention of the entire gathering.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have a special announcement tonight. Our esteemed guest, Mr. Agares, deserves a moment in the spotlight. This party is dedicated to him!"

All eyes turned toward the stage. The spotlight shifted, revealing a figure stepping forward – Mr. Agares. The room erupted into applause as he made his way to the microphone.

We, too, directed our attention to the stage.

Mr. Agares acknowledged the applause with a nod before beginning his speech which I honestly didn't want to hear.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed members of the werewolf council, the royal Moonstone Pack, tonight is a momentous occasion for me. I stand here with a heart full of gratitude for each and every one of you who made my wish come true. To celebrate with the royal pack of lycans is an honor beyond words."

A wave of applause rippled through the crowd as Mr. Agares continued, expressing his appreciation for the efforts put into organizing the event.

"And a special thanks to our esteemed Alpha King Nicholas," Mr. Agares continued, "Your leadership has paved the way for a successful meeting and this joyous celebration. Your commitment to our community is truly commendable."

Nicholas's expression remained composed, and he raised the wine glass he took from a wandering waiter as the crowd broke into applause once again. I followed suit, raising my glass in a toast before taking a sip.

As the cheers echoed around us, Nicholas leaned in, his voice a low murmur in my ear. "You know, Florence, Mr. Agares may be all smiles on stage, but behind the scenes, he's not as honorable as he appears."

I arched an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

Nicholas smirked, "Let's just say his motives aren't as genuine as his speeches."

When the crowd began to get loud, he guided me to a table in the corner where we could talk more privately. We sat down on one of the empty tables, the buzz of the party surrounding us, tuning down our voices.

Nicholas leaned back in his chair, his expression turning serious. "That man is ambitious, Florence. He's played the game well for years, but recently, he's taken sides."

I frowned, absorbing his words.

"I know I've mentioned that not everyone in the council likes me or my people, Florence. We're seen as a threat by some”

"Because you're a Lycan?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.

Nicholas sighed, his gaze fixed on the crowd. "Our kind holds a unique position of influence, and the council fears our strength and lineage, despite our peaceful intentions, as have our ancestors."

I remained silent, taking a sip of my wine, and observing the gathering crowd as couples began to take to the center for the dance, the music becoming romantic. To my surprise, Nicholas suddenly appeared at my side. He extended his hand with a small smile, inviting me to join the dance.

He smiled at me... I raised an eyebrow. "You dance?"

Nicholas chuckled. "Only on special occasions. And tonight seems pretty special."

Setting down my glass, I placed my hand in his, and he led me to the center of the dance floor. The room seemed to fade away as we embraced the slow dance, the gentle sway of our movements matching the slow tempo.